New national framework to improve medication safety for older Australians

SAHMRI is contributing to a national project aimed at improving medication safety for older Australians living in residential aged care.

The project has developed PHARMA Care National Quality Framework, an evidence-based model designed to support on site pharmacists and care teams to strengthen the safe and appropriate use of medicines.

Residents entering aged care are increasingly frail with complex medical needs, and most take multiple medications every day.

National data shows that almost all residents experience at least one medication related problem and that a significant proportion of unplanned hospital admissions among older Australians are linked to inappropriate medicines use.

A/Prof Janet Sluggett, Chief Investigator, says the framework and quality indicators could help reduce avoidable harm and improve residents’ quality of life.

“Older Australians in aged care often take many medications which increases the chance of errors and side effects,” A/Prof Sluggett said.

“With pharmacists now working on-site in aged care homes, this framework gives them a structured way to identify medication safety issues and work with care teams to address them.”

The PHARMA Care framework outlines five quality domains for medication management and was developed in partnership with 14 organisations across the aged care, pharmacy and research sectors, including SAHMRI. The project is funded through the Medical Research Future Fund.

“Our framework gives aged care homes and pharmacists structure and support to deliver high quality, consistent care across key areas of medication management,” A/Prof Sluggett said.

“It helps pharmacists measure their impact, strengthens clinical governance and encourages open conversations between care teams, residents and families to support person centred care.”

The project team are now seeking expressions of interest from aged care providers and credentialed pharmacists to participate in a pilot study.

The national pilot will help determine how the quality indicators and framework can support safer medication use for residents and be scaled across the aged care sector.

To participate in the pilot study, pharmacists and aged care providers can contact: ALH-PHARMA-Care@unisa.edu.au.